The Freedom Forward Human Rights Fellowship is a program for current college and graduate students who want to build effective campaigns for global human rights on their campuses.

Successful applicants will join a national network of Human Rights Fellows who work closely with Freedom Forward staff to advance human rights and end U.S. support for governments that oppress their people.  The Human Rights Fellowship is part-time, volunteer, and on-campus.

In 2019, a primary focus of the Human Rights Fellowship will be launching campaigns across the U.S. to push Saudi Arabia’s brutal monarchy to stop bombing civilians in Yemen and stop violating human rights inside Saudi Arabia.

Examples of work:

  • Help launch local campaigns that push the Saudi monarchy to stop bombing Yemeni civilians, stop oppressing women, and stop torturing, imprisoning, and executing critics.
  • Recruit local support for national campaigns that call on U.S. companies, universities, and organizations to reject money from the Saudi monarchy.
  • Hold local events to educate the public.
  • Write opinion pieces and letters to the editor to build support for our shared efforts.

Why focus on Saudi Arabia’s monarchy?

  • Saudi Arabia’s monarchy is the largest customer of the U.S. arms industry. The Saudi dictatorship uses U.S. bombs to kill thousands of civilians in Yemen.
  • The monarchy imprisons women activists, executes its critics, and opposes democracy in the region.
  • The Saudi monarchy spends billions of dollars in the U.S. to influence U.S. politics, buy the silence of major U.S. businesses, and maintain U.S. support.

The Human Rights Fellowship commitment:

  • 10-20 hours per month for one semester on time-sensitive campaigns. That’s 3-5 hours a week.
  • Weekly 30 minute calls with Freedom Forward organizers.
  • Regular outreach and work on key Freedom Forward campaigns.
  • Organizing at least one event or political action on campus.
  • Submitting and posting photos of events to Freedom Forward and tagging @freedomforward on Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn posts.

Who we are looking for:

  • College students, graduate students, and recent graduates who have a passion for human rights and who want to end U.S. support for nondemocratic governments.
  • Thoughtful and curious people who know how to build bridges across communities.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Motivation and ability to work independently.
  • Not required but helpful:
    • Familiarity and experience engaging diaspora communities in the U.S. that are of Middle Eastern and/or Muslim origin.
    • Knowledge, familiarity, and interest in Middle Eastern societies, issues, history, cultures, countries, and governments.
  • Human Rights Fellows are committed to opposing Islamophobia, antisemitism, misogyny, and bigotry in all forms.

Two ways to apply:

  1. Preferred:  Use this online form.
  2. Or: Email your cover letter, resume, references, and short writing sample to:  info@freedomforward.org.